However, history and recent performances are on the side of the U.S. women. They should have no problem knocking out the No. 2 seed as the No. 3 in this tournament and reaching the gold-medal game.

May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings hold a 9-5 all-time lead in competitions against their Chinese opponents. They know how to beat them, especially in Olympic competition. Remember, the American duo never dropped a set in Athens or Beijing and finally had the streak snapped last Wednesday.

That streak's end likely just made them hungrier to be more dominant, as May-Treanor/Walsh-Jennings tore through their Italian opponents on Sunday night in straight sets.

While Xue/Zhang destroyed the famous Americans in Moscow earlier this year (21-14, 21-14), they have coasted through their side of the bracket and never faced a challenge even close to what a revitalized May-Treanor/Walsh-Jennings are preparing to bring.

It’s likely the end of the line for Xue/Zhang, who won bronze in their home country back in 2008. They have plenty of time left to compete at a high level, while this is likely the last rodeo for the United States superstars.

A win would potentially set up an all-American gold-medal game in women’s beach volleyball.

Jen Kessy and April Ross will be matching up against the Brazilian powerhouse duo of Larissa Franca and Juliana Felisberta in a No. 4 vs. No. 1 contest later in the evening.

It would be an epic battle that would make the Americans at home extremely proud. Watching May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings win one final gold would be the icing on the cake.